Magical Rites

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

4 1/4 out of 5 Shovels
In 1993 a new and innovative card deck hit gamers like a storm. Magic: the Gathering has become one of the most popular role playing games in the last decade. Considering the themes of nature and magic, there is not a wonder why MtG has become so engaging to its players.

Magic: the Gathering’s premise is in the characterization of Mana –an energy derived from land masses. Five colors define the parameters of Mana. For defense, a player uses white, the energy from the plains. Blue symbolizes counter-defense from the islands. Infestation rules black energy from the swamps. To attack, red is manifested from the mountains. Green powered by the forests and used in the employment of ambushes.

Having a following of six million players, books and trading cards being marketed by Wizards of the Coast; a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., MtG renews its environment with the release of the Core Set. The 8th Edition celebrates the 10th Anniversary of MtG. The edition contains 350 cards, at least one from every expansion. These cards include systematically placed black bordered versions of their cards.

With a strong past, million of fans, and a new set, Magic: the Gathering has a bright future ahead.